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With the recent appointment of Ivan Lendl as Andy Murray‘s coach, some eyebrows were raised about his credentials. But for someone with his success and understanding of the game, how can he not be considered coaching material?

It’s a lively debate and there is sometimes not a correlation between how successful a player they were vs. their coaching success, but I think the success of former players turned coaches, speaks for itself. Here’s my top 10.

1. Brad Gilbert

Brad’s mantra of winning ugly, turned Andre Agassi’s career around and turned him from show boater to Grand Slam winner. He had less success with his other charges, but he lucked out working with one of the greatest players of all time.

3. Larry Stefanki

If were talking getting a player to #1, then Stefanki is your man. He took 3 players to the top and career high rankings for the others. A modest playing talent himself, the numbers don’t lie in his coaching ability.

4. Peter Lundgren

Wild man Pete, peaked with Federer and Safin but has the tools to bring out the best in his charges. A coach who keeps close relationships with his players, he has the ability to take on the most volatile of players and calm them down.

5. Darren Cahill

6. Tony Roche

The Godfather of coaching, having been the steady influence for the very top players, when they needed the best. A coach-less Federer even knew he needed the presence of Roche during his career and the coach of Ivan Lendl at his peak, says it all.

9. Tim Gullikson

The late Gullickson was one half of the successful Gullickson twins and was Pete Sampras’ main coach, whom he adored throughout his career, until his sad death in 1996 to a brain tumor.

Tour Titles As Player: 4Coached: Pete Sampras, Aaron Krickstein

10. Alex Corretja

Only recently retired, Corretja has the makings of an excellent coach. His trial with Andy Murray went well, but they were not a natural fit. He now is in charge of the Spanish Davis Cup team and most likely will be recruited after his tenure by a top player.